Adaptor for use with antique golf clubs

ABSTRACT

A putter P comprises a one-piece cast metal putter head (H) and shaft (S). A first part (A 1 ) of an adaptor (A) includes a fitting to which the distal end of the putter shaft attaches. A second part (A 2 ) of the adaptor includes an elongate grip base one end of which connects with the first part of the adaptor. A conventional rubber or plastic grip (G) fits over the base to complete the putter assembly. Once assembled, the putter can be used by a golfer as they would any current putter. The result is a refurbished or new putter having the characteristics of exceptional feel and balance, which enhances a putting stroke. The putter is a combination of old and new technologies which makes putting easier, particularly for older golfers.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/041,280 filed Aug. 25, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the refurbishment and manufacture of “antique” golf clubs; and, more particularly putters.

Prior to the modern era of golf club manufacture, many clubs were handmade, or made with techniques no longer in use. While many older golf clubs, particularly drivers, fairway woods, and irons are no longer used because of the superiority of their modern counterparts, the same is not true with putters. A putting stoke is a relatively short stroke that does not require a lot of energy, and, in most instances a ball struck with a putter is only hit a few feet or yards. Accordingly, many older or antique putters (i.e., those 60-90 years old) which are primarily cast metal putters, are still serviceable. However, because of their age, the way the way a putter head was attached to a shaft and a grip to the other end of the shaft can no longer be used. For example, when these putters were first made, grips were strips of leather wound about the grip end of the shaft. Such grips are either no longer available, or too costly for the average golfer to afford.

In addition to refurbishing these older clubs, it is also possible to make new putters of these older putter's designs using modern manufacturing techniques as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to an adaptor for converting antique golf clubs, particularly putters, for present day use, and for use in manufacturing new putters having substantially the same design as these older putters. The putter portion of the club comprises a one-piece cast metal putter head and shaft. A first part of the adaptor includes a fitting to which the distal end of the putter shaft is attached. A second part of the adaptor includes an elongated grip base one end of which connects with the first part of the adaptor using, for example, a pin or pins. A conventional rubber or plastic grip fits over the base to complete the putter assembly. Once assembled, the putter can be used by a golfer as they would any current putter.

The adaptor allows old clubs, particularly putters, to be refurbished for use at a relatively low cost. It also allows new clubs, for example, putters, to be made using old and new technologies. The refurbished putter is pleasing in appearance and performs as capably as putters of a more recent design and construction.

The combination of old and new technologies, as incorporated in the present invention make putting easier, particularly for older golfers.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which together with detailed description which follows, form part of the specification and illustrate the various embodiments described in the specification.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a putter put together using an adaptor of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the parts of the putter and their assembly; and,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the adaptor and the connection of its parts.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to the drawings, a putter for putting golf balls is indicated generally P. The putter includes a putter head H with an integrally formed shaft S. The putter head and its shaft are of a one-piece solid, cast metal (e.g., carbon steel) construction; although those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cast metal design of the putter head and shaft could also be of a molded plastic construction. With a head H as shown in the drawings, putter P is commonly referred to as a “blade” type putter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the head could be of a different shape; e.g., a “mallet” shape without departing from the scope of the invention. The upper end of shaft S, as viewed in the drawings, is connected to a grip indicated generally G by which a golfer grasps the putter when making a putting stroke.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of shaft S is attached to the grip portion of the club using an adaptor A. Adaptor A is a two-part adaptor. The first part A1 of adaptor A comprises a fitting to which the distal end of the putter shaft attaches. That is, the fitting has a longitudinally extending, central bore B the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of shaft S, at the upper end of the shaft, for this end of the shaft to be received in the bore of the fitting. The upper end of the shaft is attached to the fitting of adaptor part A1 by, for example, a friction fit, or a glue which is deposited in the bore before the end of shaft S is inserted into it.

A second part A2 of adaptor A comprises an elongated grip base one end of which connects with first part A1 of the adaptor as shown in FIG. 3. Part A2 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a stepped outer contour with a large diameter upper section U transitioning to a smaller diameter lower section L as indicated at T in FIG. 2. The combined length of adaptor part A generally corresponds with that of grip G. Grip G is hollow on the inside and its interior is sized and shaped such that the grip is slidingly received over both adaptor parts A1 and A2. As indicated in FIG. 3, when grip G is installed, its lower end will rest on, or bear against a shoulder D that extends circumferentially about the lower end of adaptor part A1. Grip G, which is of a rubber or plastic construction is installed on adaptor A in the conventional manner as is known in the art.

The distal end of shaft S has two spaced holes formed in it; one adjacent the end of the shaft and the other distance inwardly from this end of the shaft. Correspondingly sized holes are formed in adaptor parts A1 and A2 as indicated in FIG. 3. Pins N are inserted through these holes and shaft S to secure the shaft to both parts of adaptor A. Those skilled in the art will understand that shaft S may be connected to adaptor part A2 using other means as well.

Combining the style older one-piece club head and putter shaft with adaptor A results in a refurbished or new putter P having the characteristics of exceptional feel and balance, which enhances a putting stroke. The feel and balance are the result of a heavier shaft and blade than may be found with current putters. Shaft S and head H are of a solid carbon steel construction. The putter head is a blade type head which provides a golfer exceptional feedback when they strike their putt. The dynamics of weight and balance help keep the head of the putter on line during a putting stroke. It also helps prevent a “flutter” of which older golfers seem to be susceptible and with which they struggle. The combination of old and new technologies, as incorporated in the present invention help make putting easier, particularly for older golfers.

Finally, it should be understood that in addition to putters, other types of golf clubs can also be made using the method described above to produce a club that, while relatively inexpensive, has the feel and balance of more expensive clubs a golfer could buy.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A putter comprising: a putter head and a shaft to which the putter head is connected; an adaptor to one end of which the putter shaft is connected and over which a putter grip is fitted for a golfer to grip the putter when making a stroke.
 2. The putter of claim 1 in which the head and shaft are of a one-piece metal construction.
 3. The putter of claim 1 in which the adaptor includes a first part comprising a fitting to which a distal end of the putter shaft attaches, and a second part comprising an elongate grip base one end of which connects with the first part of the adaptor, a conventional putter grip fitting over the base to install the grip onto the putter, the completed putter having exceptional feel and balance which enhances a putting stroke.
 4. The putter of claim 3 in the fitting has a longitudinally extending, central bore the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the shaft, at the upper end of the shaft, for this end of the shaft to be received in the bore of the fitting.
 5. The putter of claim 4 in which the upper end of the shaft is attached to the fitting by one of a friction fit, a glue which is deposited in the bore before the end of the shaft is inserted into it, or by a pin inserted through a lateral bore in the fitting that intersects the longitudinal central bore and, when in place, bears against the upper end of shaft to keep the shaft in place. 